Roof j hooks for Hobie Revolution and Outback

[Tom Lagana]

Does any have suggestions for a cradle for both of these kayaks and can you tell me any changes it makes with the driving of the vehicle. I am going to the Outer Banks and want to utilize all the space on my roof so I thought I would put the boat in j hooks to do this. Would appreciate any and all comment/experiences/recommendations greatly.


Tom Lagana
www.tomlagana.net

[Huntrava]

Hobie makes custom saddles for the yaks, but they sell for nearly $250. Too much for me.

Something I considered (before buying a trailer) was using a compass/scribe and some PT plywood to build a custom cradle out of PT lumber. You could scribe the shape of the hull onto the lumber, cut it out, glue on some rubber then attach eye bolts to both ends in less than an hour. Probably cost $20 in parts, and it wouldn't shift an inch on your roof.

[Sun]

Does any have suggestions for a cradle for both of these kayaks and can you tell me any changes it makes with the driving of the vehicle. I am going to the Outer Banks and want to utilize all the space on my roof so I thought I would put the boat in j hooks to do this. Would appreciate any and all comment/experiences/recommendations greatly.


Tom Lagana
www.tomlagana.net

I have a roof rack with a single J Cradle attached on the right side of the rack. I've used the J cradle to haul my Ocean Kayak Prowler 13, and my Wilderness Systems Tarpon 100. It works fine with both of them, but on windy days I do feel the car sway more when I have the Tarpon 100 on there, as it is wider and stands on its side taller than the Prowler 13. I think the Outback is even wider than the Tarpon, so I bet that I would probably feel even more uncomfortable with it on the J cradles. I now typically carry the Tarpon laid upside down on the roof rack, and only use the J cradle for the Ocean Kayak. When I take both kayaks out, I have the Ocean Kayak on the J cradle, and the Tarpon laid on the roof rack. I have no problem or hesitation with this setup.

I got an Outback last year, and I have always transported it laid upside down on the roof rack. It just feels more secure to me. I have seen others carry Outbacks on J cradles, and because the Outback is so tall from the bottom of the hull to the top, it actually does not sit very well inside the J cradle. This results in a dent forming on the side of the kayak. I personally would not feel good about having dents on any side of my kayak...

If I were transporting a Revo and an Outback, I would put the Revo on the J cradle, and the outback upside down on the rack. I don't have any pictures of two kayaks loaded on my car, but below are two separate pictures to show how I strap the Outback (the J cradles are there on the other side), and the Ocean Kayak. I hope this helps.

outback.jpgprowler.jpg

[AbuMasgouf]

I have a roof rack with a single J Cradle attached on the right side of the rack. I've used the J cradle to haul my Ocean Kayak Prowler 13, and my Wilderness Systems Tarpon 100. It works fine with both of them, but on windy days I do feel the car sway more when I have the Tarpon 100 on there, as it is wider and stands on its side taller than the Prowler 13. I think the Outback is even wider than the Tarpon, so I bet that I would probably feel even more uncomfortable with it on the J cradles. I now typically carry the Tarpon laid upside down on the roof rack, and only use the J cradle for the Ocean Kayak. When I take both kayaks out, I have the Ocean Kayak on the J cradle, and the Tarpon laid on the roof rack. I have no problem or hesitation with this setup.

I got an Outback last year, and I have always transported it laid upside down on the roof rack. It just feels more secure to me. I have seen others carry Outbacks on J cradles, and because the Outback is so tall from the bottom of the hull to the top, it actually does not sit very well inside the J cradle. This results in a dent forming on the side of the kayak. I personally would not feel good about having dents on any side of my kayak...

If I were transporting a Revo and an Outback, I would put the Revo on the J cradle, and the outback upside down on the rack. I don't have any pictures of two kayaks loaded on my car, but below are two separate pictures to show how I strap the Outback (the J cradles are there on the other side), and the Ocean Kayak. I hope this helps.

[ATTACH=CONFIG]18930[/ATTACH][ATTACH=CONFIG]18931[/ATTACH]

I agree with Sun. I've out the Revo on the J cradles and outback on the bars and it worked perfectly.

By the way I'm selling my J cradles if you're interested. They are the Yakima Bowdowns.

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[ComeOnFish]

I use a J hook only when I carry an additional kayak on my SUV. I found that I had to angle a kayak on a J hook perfectly when I drive at 79 MPH (speed limits on the most of Hwy are 70 MPH, and J hook can slide to left or right). I always use additional straps when I use a J hook, and tighten straps and nuts.

Joe